Airlines turning their backs on UK over Heathrow capacity

Capacity constraints at Heathrow Airport are causing world airlines to shun the UK, according to a survey.

As many as 53 per cent of scheduled airlines have either decided to, or are preparing to, base flights in other countries than the UK because of Heathrow's lack of capacity, the poll showed.

And 86 per cent of airlines said they would put on more flights to the UK if additional take-off and landing slots were available at Heathrow, the study from the Board of Airline Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) revealed.

Controversial: The subject of Britain's airport capacity is a hotly-contested subject

The results are being released today at a transport conference in London by Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, which runs Heathrow.

He is one a number of airline and industry chiefs anxious for the Government to reverse its policy and give the go-ahead for expansion at Heathrow.

Mr Matthews was expected to say: 'These figures show that it is a mistake to believe that flights displaced from Heathrow will automatically fly to Stansted, Gatwick or Birmingham instead.

'The message I hear from airlines is clear: if there's no room at Heathrow then flights will move out of the UK altogether.

'Instead of Britain taking the lead in forging new links with growing economies like China, we are handing economic growth to our competitors by turning away airlines who want to bring jobs, growth and trade to the UK.'

Poll: 86 per cent of airlines said they increase flights to the UK if there were more take-off and landing slots

Mike Carrivick, chief executive of BAR UK, which represents 84 scheduled airlines, said: 'UK business leaders should be very concerned about the restrictions on reaching new markets at such a critical time in the UK recovery effort.

'The survey's results are a chilling reminder that the Government must act decisively, and soon, in the national interest. Restricting capacity at key airports to the same level as the last decade is actively encouraging airlines and trade to go elsewhere.'

Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers commented: 'We recognise the importance of maintaining Britain's position as one of the best-connected countries in the world.

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'That is why the Chancellor committed us to exploring all the options for maintaining the UK's aviation hub status, with the exception of a third runway at Heathrow.'

Ms Villiers said ministers were also looking at how airports operate, with 'modernisation of economic regulation, aviation security and airspace management.'

She added: 'The debate on the long-term transport needs of the economy is immensely important and I would urge everyone in the industry to take part when we publish our forthcoming consultations on a sustainable future for aviation.'

In March, Prime Minister David Cameron highlighted plans to boost the country's airport capacity, insisting that the UK must not yield it's status as a global hub.

The Government has shown an increasing interest in 'Boris Island' - the proposed airport in the Thames estuary, named after the London Mayor - after plans for a third runway at Heathrow were scrapped in the face of opposition from locals and environmental groups.